Miracles of Saints Sergius and Nikon of Radonezh

 By St. Justin Popovich

During their life on earth, the venerable fathers Sergius and Nikon were very close to each other. That mutual closeness does not leave them even in eternal life, because the love of the saints, like the love of the Divine, is not subject to the law of time. Both of them appeared together many times and performed miracles together.

A resident of Moscow, named Symeon, who was born according to the Saint's prediction, became so terribly ill that he could neither move, nor sleep, nor receive food. Simply, he was lying on his bed like a dead man. Tormented like that, he once at night began calling for help from Saint Sergius: "Help me, Venerable Sergius! Deliver me from this disease! Even during your life on earth you were so kind to my parents and you predicted my birth to them; don't forget me, who is struggling with such a serious illness!" And behold, two old men stood in front of him one after the other: one of them was Nikon. The sick man recognized him immediately, because he knew this Saint personally during his life on earth. Then it would be clear to the sick person that the second of the Saints who appeared was Venerable Sergius himself. The wonderful old man made the sign of the cross over the sick man, after which he ordered Nikon to take the icon that was near the bed. That icon was once given to Symeon by Venerable Nikon himself. Then, the sick man was made to remove all his skin from his body. After that, the Saints became invisible. And at that moment, Symeon felt that he was completely healed: he got up on his bed, and no one was holding him anymore. Then he understood that his skin had not fallen off, but that the disease had left him. His joy was great: standing up, he began to fervently thank Saint Sergius and Venerable Nikon for his unexpected and wonderful healing.

Saint Simon of Soiga (+ 1562)

 

St. Simon of Soiga (Feast Day - November 24)

Venerable Simon of Soiga belonged to the Komel disciples of Saint Sergius of Radonezh. He was born in Solvychegodsk in the family of Nikita Tentyukov. From a young age, the grace of God rested on him. He shied away from the bustle of the world. In his younger years, he left his parents' house and was tonsured at the Komel Monastery under Saint Cornelius (May 19). He passed through his obediences with such ascetics and disciples of Cornelius of Komel as Gennadius of Liubimsk (Jan. 23), Cyril of New Lake (Feb. 4), Herodion of Iloezersk (Sep. 28), Adrian of Poshekhonsk (Mar. 5), Laurence of Komel (May 16).

Saints Theodore and Paul of Rostov

 

Sts. Theodore and Paul of Rostov (Feast Day - October 22)

Our Venerable Fathers Theodore and Paul founded a monastery at the River Ust, not far from Rostov, in honor of the Holy Passion-Bearers Boris and Gleb. Saint Theodore first came to the site of the future monastery from the Novgorod region. Having set up a hut of tree branches in the forest, he settled in that place alone. On the road on a tree he hung a basket made of bark, and passers-by, guessing that a hermit lived there, began to put bread, vegetables and other alms in it. The hermit secretly took out the alms and shared it with the beggars. Having found out about this, many from the villages began to come to the hermit for alms, and he shared everything that he found in the hung basket. Saint Paul came three years later for ascetic struggles, and settled with Saint Theodore.

 

Life of our Venerable Father Sergius of Radonezh

St. Sergius of Radonezh (Feast Day - September 25)

By St. Dimitri of Rostov

Our holy and God-bearing monastic father Sergius was born in the city of Rostov, the son of Orthodox parents named Cyril and Maria. God chose him to be His servant while he was still in his mother’s womb. One day, when his mother was yet carrying him in her womb, she went to church to attend the holy Liturgy as she was accustomed to do. When the reading of the Holy Gospel was begun, the child cried out so that all those who stood near his mother heard him. During the Cherubic Hymn he called out again, and when the priest proclaimed, "Holy things are for the holy," the child was heard a third time from his mother’s womb. From this, all perceived that he was to become a great light unto the world and a servant of the Holy Trinity. Even as Saint John the Forerunner leaped for joy in the womb before the Mother of the Lord, so did this child leap before the Lord in His holy church. His mother was seized with fear and astonishment on account of this miracle, and all who heard of it marvelled greatly. Soon thereafter, the time came for his mother to give birth, and she bore a son, who was given the name Bartholomew. From the day of his birth, he would not drink milk on Wednesdays, Fridays, or on other days of fasting. Such was the beginning of his great abstinence and fasting as a grown man.

Synaxis of the Saints of Radonezh

The Synaxis of the Saints of Radonezh goes back to the 17th century, when the first lists of the disciples of Saint Sergius of Radonezh were compiled, and his Canon was published. It is from this time that the icon of the Synaxis of the Saints of Radonezh dates to. In 1843, Archimandrite Anthony of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, with the blessing and under the supervision of Metropolitan Philaret of Moscow, organized a dependency known as the Monastery of Gethsemane. On September 27, 1853, a refectory church in the name of Saints Sergius and Nikon of Radonezh was consecrated there. At the Monastery of Gethsemane a Paterikon of the Seventy-Five disciples, relatives and associates of Saint Sergius was formed. On June 11, 1981, Archimandrite Jerome of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra consecrated a new chapel in honor of the Synaxis of the Saints of Radonezh, arranged in the northern part of the church. With the blessing of Patriarch Pimen of Moscow and All Russia, the celebration of the Synaxis of the Saints of Radonezh was established the day after the feast in honor of Finding the Relics of Saint Sergius of Radonezh – July 6/19. On July 6/19, 1981, the solemn celebration of the Synaxis of the Saints of Radonezh was first performed.

Saint Andronicus, Disciple of Saint Sergius of Radonezh (+ 1395)

St. Andronikos of Moscow (Feast Day - June 13)

Venerable Andronicus (or Andronik) was born in Rostov, and being a disciple of Saint Sergius of Radonezh (Sept. 25), he received the monastic tonsure from him around 1353. Adorned with every virtue, Saint Andronicus lived at Holy Trinity Monastery for many years.

One day, Metropolitan Alexis of Moscow (Feb. 12) visited the monastery to speak with Saint Sergius about founding a monastery in Moscow in fulfillment of a vow he had made when he was saved from a shipwreck. Saint Alexis wished to establish a cenobitic monastery dedicated to the Icon of the Savior Not-Made-By Hands, and he wanted Saint Andronicus to become the abbot. Saint Sergius agreed to this proposal, and the monastery was completed between 1358-1361.

Saint Micah of Radonezh, Disciple of Saint Sergius (+ 1385)

St. Micah of Radonezh (Feast Day - May 6)

Venerable Micah of Radonezh was one of the first disciples of the Venerable Sergius of Radonezh, and lived with him in the same cell, and under his guidance he attained a high degree of spiritual perfection. For his meekness of soul and purity of heart, Saint Micah was permitted to witness the appearance of the Mother of God to his great teacher.

Saint Paul of Obnora (+ 1429)

St. Paul of Obnora (Feast Day - January 10)

Venerable Paul of Obnora, a famed disciple of Saint Sergius of Radonezh, was born at Moscow in the year 1317. From his youth he distinguished himself by his piety and kindliness towards the poor and suffering. His rich parents prepared him for marriage and a secular life, but at twenty-two years of age he secretly left his parental home and received tonsure at the Nativity Monastery on the Volga in the Yaroslav diocese.

Saint Sava Storozhevsky of Zvenigorod, Disciple of Saint Sergius of Radonezh (+ 1406)

Saint Sava Storozhevsky (Feast Day - December 3)

Saint Sava Storozhevsky of Zvenigorod left the world in his early youth, and received the monastic tonsure from Saint Sergius of Radonezh, whose disciple and fellow-ascetic he was at Trinity Monastery.

Saint Sava loved solitude, and avoided conversing with people. He lived in constant toil, lamenting the poverty of his soul, and trembling before the judgment of God. He was a model of simplicity and humility, and he attained to such a depth of spiritual wisdom that in the Monastery of the Holy Trinity he was a spiritual confessor to all the brethren, including Saint Sergius, and a venerable and exceedingly learned Elder.

Saint Sergius of Radonezh Resource Page

St. Sergius of Radonezh (Feast Day - September 25)

About St. Sergius

Saint Sergius the Wonderworker, Abbot of Radonezh (+ 1392)

Life of our Venerable Father Sergius of Radonezh

September: Day 25: Teaching 1: Saint Sergius, Wonderworker of Radonezh

 

Homily One on the Repose of Saint Sergius, Abbot of Radonezh, Wonderworker of All Russia (Archimandrite Kirill Pavlov)

Saints Cyril and Maria, Parents of Saint Sergius of Radonezh (+ 1337)

The Appearance of the Most Holy Theotokos to St Sergius of Radonezh

Memorial Saturday of Saint Demetrios and the Battle of Kulikovo

Uncovering of the Relics of the Venerable Sergius of Radonezh (1422)

July: Day 5: Teaching 1: The Discovery of the Honorable Relics of our Venerable Father Sergius, the Wonderworker of Radonezh

The Testimony of St. Sergius of Radonezh at the Council of Florence

Commemoration of the Miraculous Deliverance of Moscow and Russia from the Poles in 1612

Miracles of Saints Sergius and Nikon of Radonezh

Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos "The Joy of All Who Sorrow" of Moscow

Icon Over Spassky Gate To Be Restored

Icon of the Savior Returned to Kremlin Tower

3 Ancient Icons and Relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh Stolen in Moscow

Disciples of St. Sergius

Saint Abraham of Galich (+ 1375)

Saint Micah of Radonezh, Disciple of Saint Sergius (+ 1385)

Saint Theodore, Archbishop of Rostov (+ 1394)

Saint Andronicus, Disciple of Saint Sergius of Radonezh (+ 1395)

Saint Athanasius of Serpukhov the Elder (+ 1401) and Saint Athanasius the Younger (+ 1395)

Saint Sava Storozhevsky of Zvenigorod, Disciple of Saint Sergius of Radonezh (+ 1406)

Saint Nikon the Abbot of Radonezh and Disciple of the Saint Sergius (+ 1426)

Saint Paul of Obnora (+ 1429)

Other Saints and St. Sergius

Saint Dionysius, Archbishop of Suzdal (+ 1385)

Saint Stephen, Bishop of Perm (+ 1396)

Saints Theodore and Paul of Rostov

Saint Cyril of White Lake (+ 1427)

Saint Dionysius of Glushetsk the Wonderworker (+ 1437)

Saint Simon of Soiga (+ 1562)

Saint Athanasius of Serpukhov the Elder (+ 1401) and Saint Athanasius the Younger (+ 1395)

Sts. Athanasius the Elder and Athanasius the Younger (Feast Day - September 12)

Saint Athanasius of Serpukhov was born at Obonezh Pyatina with the name Andrew into the family of the priest Auxentius and his wife Maria. He was, from youth, inclined towards prayer and renunciation of the world, and he sought a worthy guide in monastic labors.

At this time, news of Saint Sergius of Radonezh had already spread throughout the whole of Rus. The Monastery of the Life-Creating Trinity at Makovets had become for everyone a luminous model of monastic organization. Here in the monastery, the cenobitic life transformed “the hateful discord of this world,” creating a oneness of spirit in a unity of love based on the example of the Divine Trinity. The youth Andrew went from the outskirts of Novgorod to Abba Sergius at Makovets, following in his footsteps in search of spiritual perfection.

Uncovering of the Relics of the Venerable Sergius of Radonezh (1422)

Uncovering of the Relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh (Feast Day - July 5)

In the year 1408, when Moscow and its environs was invaded by the Tatar horde of Edigei, the Trinity Monastery founded by Saint Sergius of Radonezh (+ 1392) was devastated and burned, and the monks led by Saint Nikon hid themselves in the forests. They saved the icons, sacred vessels, books and other holy things connected with the memory of Saint Sergius.

In a vision on the eve of the Tatar incursion Saint Sergius informed his disciple and successor Nikon about the coming tribulations. He also said that the vexation would not be prolonged but that the monastery, arising from the ashes, would flourish and grow even more. Metropolitan Philaret wrote about this in his Life of Saint Sergius: “Just as it suited Christ to suffer, and through the Cross and death to enter into the glory of the Resurrection, so it also becomes everyone who would be blessed by Christ with length of days in glory, to be tested by one’s own cross and death.” Going through its own fiery cleansing, the Monastery of the Life-Creating Trinity was resurrected unto length of days, and Saint Sergius himself rose up, so that his holy relics should dwell within it forevermore.